Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: First Gateway (2)
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Having etched Jo Cheol-seong's face and character into my mind, I was about to head toward the gateway when I paused to glance at Ha-seong.
Meeting my gaze, the kid grinned just like he had that day after taking down two of the Jopho Generals.
"…Hehe."
Praise me?
- …Looks like it.
What for? Good job?!
I'd hammered it into him over and over—every single action of his could be a deducting factor! Until my ears were numb!!
'A reckless fool?!'
Ha, what am I supposed to do with this guy?!
- Sure, but give him a pass this time. He got mad because it was about you, right? I saved him myself, and I can tell—a servant like him isn't easy to find.
'Hmm. True.'
At that moment, I fell into a brief, fundamental dilemma.
It was inevitable.
Ha-seong wasn't originally supposed to enter the Righteous Martial Academy at this time.
But then, the voice of my master at my waist spoke up again.
- Tut tut. All you've given the kid are forehead flicks and punishments, yet he follows you around like a puppy. That alone shows his loyalty. He might lack tact and crave recognition a bit too much, but he'll improve with time.
I doubt it…
Still, I agreed with Master on some level.
Ha-seong had technically graduated as my disciple, and he was the first one I'd taken in since arriving in this world.
He grumbled a bit, but throughout the journey to Dangang-gu, he'd handled all the chores on his own, making things convenient.
And thanks to him, I even laughed sometimes.
'If only it didn't feel like my insides were exploding five times per laugh.'
Anyway, keeping him around, he wasn't the type to cause big trouble as long as no one egged him on—and with me here, that was naturally handled.
So my deliberation didn't last long.
"Ha-seong."
"Yes?"
"Do you think you're in a position to worry about me?"
"…N-no, sir."
"Look after yourself. Don't worry about me needlessly."
"…Yes, sir."
"Oh, and after registration, when entering the gateway, only pick the two-point difficulty."
"……?"
"What?"
"Only pick the two-pointers, you said, bro."
"Right. Don't ever forget. You're way weaker than you think. So no more mouthing off to random people when I'm not around, like just now."
"Yes, sir!"
"Good. See you later."
"Yes! Bro!!"
The entrance exam for the Righteous Martial Academy's Martial Division lasts four days and consists of five gateways. Successful candidates and the top scorer are determined by the total points earned from each gateway.
Those five gateways are as follows:
Grade Assignment
Martial Might
Destruction
Lightness Skill
Group Task
Each term, the professors selected as examiners add their emphasized themes, altering the specifics of the tests.
According to the original story, the theme running through this term—including the protagonist's generation—was 'How well do the examinees truly know their own themes?'
As a result, for this term, aside from the initial Grade Assignment gateway, the remaining four gateways offered examinees choices, holding them accountable for their decisions.
For example, the four bows laid out on the table ahead were exactly those choices.
Four bows placed on tables marked with placards reading (5), (3), (2), (1).
Depending on which bow one chose, the points earned would differ.
"I am Paeng Jae-hyeok, supervisor of the Regular Grade Warrior Martial Might exam. This gateway is called the Ma Lung Gate! Anyone know who Ma Lung was?! Hmm, yes, you there, the bald one!!"
"…Isn't he the famous general of the Western Jin who unified the era commonly called the Three Kingdoms?"
"Kuahaha! No hair on your head, but plenty inside! Correct! That Ma Lung faced off against a man named Bald Hair Tree Function who threatened his nation. He selected elite troops by checking if they could draw a strong bow. This exam is the same. Hmm, yes, you there, the bearded one."
"If it's the same, those who don't know Ma Lung's tale won't understand. Please explain in detail."
"You ignorant fool! Can't you figure it out just by looking?! The higher the number on the placard, the stronger the bow's draw weight and the higher the points. But if you can't fully draw it, you're out on the spot! Yes, you there, Arrowhead!"
"Out meaning zero points?!"
"No, the purpose of this exam is to select prepared examinees who accurately gauge their own abilities! Fail to draw the string perfectly, and you'll lose your exam eligibility right there. Of course, once chosen, no changes. Surely no one fails to grasp such a simple test?!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Good! Then begin!!"
And so, the curtain rose on the true gateways of the entrance exam.
Examinees clad in black uniforms stamped with the (Ding) character stepped forward one by one, drawing the prepared strong bows before Paeng Jae-hyeok.
"Two-pointer. Not a bad choice! Lacks a bit of courage, but anyway, give it a pull!"
"Hraaah!!!"
"Pass!!"
Some safely chose the two-pointer.
"You dare go for just one point?! You do know there are five gateways and the average top scorer's total is ten points, right?!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Well, then. Give it a go!"
"Iyaaah!!!"
"Straining like that on a one-pointer! Anyway, pass! Pass!!!"
Someone who looked scrawny even at a glance opted for the even safer one-pointer.
"Urgh! I-isn't this a full draw?!"
"Kuahaha! Not even close, you fool!!"
"Kuhuhuh! I-if I draw the three-pointer, I think I can do it properly! Aren't I better than those ahead who only did two or one?! P-please, just one chance to switch!"
"That's the great power bow you chose! Spend that breath pulling harder!!"
"Uwaaaaa!!!!"
"Snap!"
Others gambled and faced elimination. While waiting for my turn and watching, my master at my waist spoke up.
- Hmm.
'What's with that hum, Master?'
- Well, they seem like strong bows even ordinary people couldn't draw. But even so, judging martial might with those? No matter how I think, it seems more about raw strength.
'Yeah, pretty much.'
- If it's about strength, this is second- or third-rate level, yet a place teaching the later generation of the hundred academies of murim gives this as a task?
'Ah, because I came to the Regular Grade Warrior exam hall. The third stage Destruction and fourth stage Lightness Skill have the same tasks, but this Martial Might stage varies by initial grade received. The Bing- and Eul-grade warriors are probably sparring with seniors or professors suited to their level right now.'
- Oh? Really?
'Yes. And the goal of the Righteous Martial Academy's entrance exam is to find rough gems. So there might be examinees like that, right?'
- Like what?
'Someone with poor martial might but exceptional lightness skill? Or just think of Ha-yeon the maid. You said she has the talent to wield a sword. Her family is well-off, so she's knowledgeable and took the Literary Division, but what if she was born to poor field laborers?'
- Hmm.
'She couldn't dream of the Literary Division, and without martial training despite her talent, sparring would mean low scores or failure, right?'
- I see. Hmm. I get a bit why all the later generation talents flock to the Righteous Martial Academy.
That was when it happened.
Right as I was discussing with Master.
One of the assistants in colorful uniforms helping the supervisor announced my turn was approaching.
"Next up. Prepare."
I steadied my breath and approached the exam stand, but Supervisor Paeng Jae-hyeok suddenly glared and bellowed.
"What?! Yong-un, why the hell are you here?!"
- …Disciple, seems he knows you? Well, Paeng Jae-hyeok must be from the Ha-buk Paeng Family, and your home Pearl Eon Family is in the Jinju lands of Ha-buk, so acquaintances?
I don't know him.
Or rather, I don't remember.
But having read the original, I had a rough guess.
'Paeng Jae-hyeok. Younger brother of the Ha-buk Paeng Family head, Swordsmanship professor at the Righteous Martial Academy, and uncle to major characters Paeng So-cheon and Paeng So-jin.'
Come to think of it, in the original, the Pearl Eon Family head and Paeng Family head were sworn brothers, so Eon Yong-myeong treated him like a youngest uncle.
Recalling the setting, I cautiously opened my mouth.
"…Greetings, Uncle Jae-hyeok."
"That mouth spits out 'uncle' so easily! Why the hell are you here?!"
"As you see, to take the entrance exam."
"Heh. Getting kicked out doesn't erase the messes you caused, yet you waltz in calling me uncle to take the exam? You've got guts!"
In the original, Paeng Jae-hyeok was consistently hearty and friendly toward Eon Yong-myeong.
So that deep-seated animosity clearly targeted me.
'Looks like former Yong-un tangled with the Paeng Family too somehow.'
This is insane.
Utterly insane.
But I had no intention of just freaking out or cowering before Paeng Jae-hyeok.
'So what?!'
Something I don't even remember.
More precisely, something I didn't do—I had no plans to wrestle with it.
'And what're you gonna do about it?!'
Anyway, due to former Yong-un's karma, I'd been exiled from the family, but with my abilities, I'd forged ties with Master and the Silver Radiance Merchant Group—though in the big picture, I was still scrambling.
And here I was, wearing the Regular Grade uniform!
Those who receive Regular Grade at the first gateway start with a one-point deduction.
'I've more than paid for the karma.'
No reason to lack confidence.
Thus, I faced Paeng Jae-hyeok calmly and firmly.
"I'll take the exam."
"…You! That attitude?!"
At my demeanor, Paeng Jae-hyeok gaped in disbelief for a moment before scoffing.
"…Tch. Ha! Fine, show me! What'll you pick? The one-pointer, obviously?! A guy who neglected training for gambling and debauchery…."
Taking his words as my cue, I approached the table with the bows.
And selected the five-point great power bow.
Paeng Jae-hyeok blanked for a second, then sneered at me.
"Ha. Hahaha. Great power bow?! Your bluffing hasn't changed! As I said, choice is final! You'll flop spectacularly! Draw when ready!"
I took his mockery as my signal and gripped the great power bow.
Then circulated the Heaven-Splitting Divine Art and drew it.
Kkiiigiik-!
The string stretched to its limit in an instant.
The bow bent to its extreme.
This wasn't just a full draw—it was an extreme draw.
Yet, for some reason, no "pass" came.
So, still holding the draw, I turned my head slightly to look at Paeng Jae-hyeok.
'Eyes wide in shock. Mouth shut in disbelief.'
Whether from astonishment, denial, or refusal to acknowledge.
Anyway, Paeng Jae-hyeok seemed speechless.
Instead of waiting for his pass, I pulled even harder.
Kkigeukkiik-!!!
Crack!!!!!
Only after snapping the bow itself did I seek confirmation from Paeng Jae-hyeok.
"Pass. Right?"